M31 quick and dirty - the Andromeda Galaxy from IISAC2009

[iceman (Mike)]

I really wanted to capture a great image of the beautiful Andromeda Galaxy (M31) from IISAC2009, but everything conspired against me and it just didn’t work out the way I’d hoped.

With a host of problems, I only captured 15 minutes of data and no flats calibration. Despite all that, it’s my first image of M31 and even though it was only at 10deg altitude, it gives me some hope that I can capture a better image in future.

On the first night, I started capturing data but wasn’t happy with my framing so I started to change the composition, and then I had problems with guiding and clouds. On the second night the guiding problems continued to plague me, and once they were sorted out, I had issues with my USB hub which took quite a fall during the day when a big gust of wind blew my laptop hutch off the table. On the third night, clouds low in the North prevented any imaging of M31, so I turned the scope to something else.

So all I ended up with was 3 usable frames from the first night, with no flats calibration and an awkward composition.

The image was captured with my normal Deep Space Imaging equipment – the unmodded Canon 350D with the ED80, riding on the EQ6 and guided with an 80mm refractor using my DMK21AU04 and PHD guiding.

Exposures were 5 minutes each, with dark frame subtraction in camera. 3 exposures @ ISO800, FL ~ 480mm, F/6.

Blog post - M31 The Andromeda Galaxy

1200px wide version

Thanks for looking.

[TheDecepticon]

That looks ok for what you managed to get. Well done.

[lacad01 (Adam)]

Despite the trials and tribulations of the capturing, turned out pretty well

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks guys - there's always next year

[CoolhandJo (Paul)]

Very promising for a few subs! Still an image to be proud IMHO

[spearo (Frank)]

not bad at all
well done
frank

[shaneaust (Mick)]

Good image, Mike! What's the galaxy in the background?

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by shaneaust

Good image, Mike! What's the galaxy in the background?

Do you mean the one at the top of the frame? M110
Or the one just below and right of centre of M31? M32

[telecasterguru (Frank)]

Mike,

I think you have done pretty well considering.

Andromeda is such a difficult object from down south.

Frank

[bartman (Bart)]

You call that quick and dirty?
JEEEEEZ I have some hope then in getting some images as a beginner.
cause I'm not expecting that sort of an image when I use my scope and camera!
I think its well done!
bartman

[bluescope]

Nice image for only 15 minutes Mike ... wouldn't mind seeing it rotated so the core doesn't fall out ... just personal taste ... who knows which way is up out there.

[Jen]

not bad for a quickie Mike i would be happy to get something like that

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Not bad for 15 minutes Mike.
At least you have one image of m31 that's your own.
As you said, there's always next time.

[Paul Haese]

Considering this is 15 minutes you have lots to like about the shot. Better framing of course would help and the necessary subs. Do you think it looks upside down?

[dpastern (Dave Pastern)]

I'd be over the moon with an image of M31 like that Mike.

Dave

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Considering this is 15 minutes you have lots to like about the shot. Better framing of course would help and the necessary subs. Do you think it looks upside down?

Rotated about 135 deg anticlockwise seems to be how you normally see it.

I'd like have M31 rise high enough I could see it - without taking the chain saw to the northern boundary trees.

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks guys - now that I look at Andrew's rotated version, I guess it does look upside down

Unfortunately I never got the framing right, and was spending/wasting so much time trying to frame it, that I missed out on capturing more data cause ultimately the clouds came over low in the North.

Thanks for all your comments.

[White Rabbit]

I think we can all feel your pain. theres nothing worse than setting your gear up and then have one thing after another go wrong.

My girlfriend wonders why I bother because I spend most of time trouble shooting. I tell her thats have the fun because I have to tell myself that or I'd pack it in all together.

I'd be happy with that full stop, to date my Galaxy imaging has been less than stellar and under the circumstaces i think you did pretty well.

Sandy